Houston football player D.J. Hayden was transported by ambulance from the University of Houston football practice facility to Memorial Hermann Hospital on Tuesday afternoon for evaluation of an injury sustained from a collision in practice.

Houston team physician Dr. Walter Lowe confirmed Thursday that Hayden required immediate surgery for a tear of the inferior vena cava, the large vein that carries blood from the lower half of the body back to the heart. Lowe described the injury as very serious and life threatening while commending the coordinated response from the University of Houston Athletics Training Staff, EMS paramedics and the trauma staff at Memorial Hermann.

Hayden is currently alert and in stable yet critical condition in Memorial Hermann ICU unit.

The University of Houston Athletics Department will release further updates on Hayden as they become available.

Statement from UH team physician Dr. Walter Lowe:

“This injury has never been seen or reported in association with a football injury and is more associated with high speed motor vehicle injuries. The type of injury D.J. had is 95 percent fatal in the field and we are all very thankful for the coordinate response from the University of Houston trainers, EMS paramedics, the trauma team at Memorial Hermann and operating surgeon Dr. John Holcomb.”

Statement from UH head coach Tony Levine:

“D.J. is a tremendous young man and has been a great asset to our program, both on and off the field. I ask that everyone continue to keep D.J. and his family in their thoughts and prayers. We are very fortunate to have some of the nation’s top physicians and medical facilities just minutes away from our campus and I would like to extend our appreciation for their efforts on Tuesday evening. We thank you for respecting the privacy of D.J. and his family at this time. We look forward to supporting D.J. on his road to recovery.”